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Joe Balvanz

Hawks earn split against No. 6 Pleasant Valley with 2-1 victory in nightcap

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A season-opening split was just fine with Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz. The Hawks kicked off the 2023 season on Wednesday by splitting a non-conference twinbill against visiting Pleasant Valley, the No. 6 team in Class 4A. After dropping a 5-3 decision in the opener, Ankeny rebounded with a 2-1 win in the nightcap. The Spartans (2-1), who won the … [Read more...] about Hawks earn split against No. 6 Pleasant Valley with 2-1 victory in nightcap

Challenging new CIML awaits two-time defending league champion Hawks

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A talented group of seniors will lead the way this season for the Ankeny baseball team. A trio of all-conference players--catcher Max Watson, pitcher Alex Griess and outfielder Ben Sandvig--is back for the Hawks, along with some other key returnees. "The practices have been great this spring," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "Our seniors have done a … [Read more...] about Challenging new CIML awaits two-time defending league champion Hawks

Clevidence commits to Evansville baseball program as two-way player

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Despite playing in only 17 games last season, Ankeny's Jack Clevidence still attracted the attention of college baseball coaches. The junior pitcher and infielder has verbally committed to play for the University of Evansville. He announced his decision on Twitter Monday. "I was talking to some other schools like Western Illinois, South Dakota State, … [Read more...] about Clevidence commits to Evansville baseball program as two-way player

Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss

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A rough start resulted in a season-ending loss for the Ankeny baseball team on Monday. Visiting Indianola jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the first two innings and went on to defeat the Hawks, 8-5, in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Indians (25-12) advanced to Wednesday's substate final at 10th-ranked Urbandale (25-14). "They competed all night, and I … [Read more...] about Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss

Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz wanted his team to get off to a fast start. The Hawks did exactly that and then some. Ankeny scored six runs in the first inning, three more in the second and went on to defeat visiting Des Moines East, 13-3, in five innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "Those early runs took the pressure off," … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday

Hawks close out regular season with 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes

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The Ankeny baseball team could afford a loss on Wednesday. That won't be the case on Friday. The Hawks closed out the regular season with a 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game. Their overall record dropped to 22-13. The Mustangs improved to 21-14 with their sixth straight victory. "We need to play better," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawks close out regular season with 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes

A FLIP FOR JOY: Hawks rally past rival Centennial, clinch Iowa Conference title

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team was one out away from taking control of the CIML Iowa Conference race. Ankeny batter Carson Agan had other ideas. The junior third baseman blasted a three-run double to cap a four-run rally in the seventh inning, giving the visiting Hawks a 7-5 victory at fifth-ranked Centennial in the nightcap of Thursday's … [Read more...] about A FLIP FOR JOY: Hawks rally past rival Centennial, clinch Iowa Conference title

BOOM!: Hawks rout Fort Dodge twice, close in on repeat conference crown

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The Ankeny baseball team is heading into Thursday's showdown at fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial on a roll. The Hawks routed visiting Fort Dodge twice in a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader on Wednesday. They posted a 17-1 victory in four innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with an 11-1 triumph in five innings. Ankeny has scored 70 runs while … [Read more...] about BOOM!: Hawks rout Fort Dodge twice, close in on repeat conference crown

Hawks score 42 runs in twinbill sweep, take over Iowa Conference lead

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The Ankeny baseball team moved into sole possession of first place in the CIML Iowa Conference with a convincing sweep over visiting Marshalltown on Monday. After posting a 14-5 win in the first game of the doubleheader, the Hawks romped to a 28-2 victory in four innings in the nightcap. They scored 11 runs in the first inning, seven in the second and 10 … [Read more...] about Hawks score 42 runs in twinbill sweep, take over Iowa Conference lead

Hawks likely headed for No. 2 seed in Substate 7 after going 1-1 on Saturday

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Every win is critical for the Ankeny baseball team as the eighth-ranked Hawks battle No. 6 Urbandale for the top seed in Class 4A Substate 7. That's why Ankeny's 9-8 loss to North Scott in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday could be damaging for the Hawks, who jumped out to an early 7-0 lead only to see it slip away. Ankeny is now 17-10 on the … [Read more...] about Hawks likely headed for No. 2 seed in Substate 7 after going 1-1 on Saturday

Hawks rout Ames in 5 innings before Little Cyclones win nightcap to earn split

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After watching his team drop the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Ames, Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz tried to look on the bright side. "I wanted two (wins) there tonight, but I will take a split and playing well against a good arm," Balvanz said. "Facing a kid like (Ben) Amador is only going to help us in the postseason." Amador … [Read more...] about Hawks rout Ames in 5 innings before Little Cyclones win nightcap to earn split

Hawks hold off Mason City to complete sweep, remain atop league standings

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It wasn't easy, but the Ankeny baseball team held off host Mason City to sweep a doubleheader on Monday and maintain sole possession of first place in the CIML Iowa Conference. The eighth-ranked Hawks scored three runs in the seventh inning to post a 6-3 victory in the opener, then built an early 12-0 lead en route to a 14-10 win in the nightcap that … [Read more...] about Hawks hold off Mason City to complete sweep, remain atop league standings

Ankeny sweeps Wolves, moves into first place in CIML Iowa Conference

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After winning the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against visiting Waukee Northwest, the Ankeny baseball players weren't going to be satisfied with splitting the twinbill. "We just need to go out there and do the same thing," Ankeny catcher Max Watson said after the 6-3 win. "Brock Adamson's going to be on the mound, and I think it's going to be a … [Read more...] about Ankeny sweeps Wolves, moves into first place in CIML Iowa Conference

Hawks salvage split of twinbill at Fort Dodge, drop out of first-place tie

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The Ankeny baseball team dropped out of a first-place tie with seventh-ranked Waukee Northwest in the CIML Iowa Conference on Monday, but salvaged a split of a doubleheader at Fort Dodge to remain in the thick of the league race. The No. 10 Hawks posted a 7-1 victory in the nightcap after dropping a 10-8 decision in the opener. They are now 9-3 in the … [Read more...] about Hawks salvage split of twinbill at Fort Dodge, drop out of first-place tie

Griess pitches Hawks to 7-5 victory before Ames rallies to win nightcap

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The Ankeny baseball team was hoping to get a sweep against visiting Ames on Monday. The Hawks had to settle for a split. The Little Cyclones used a three-run rally in the sixth inning to post a 7-4 victory in the nightcap of the doubleheader, allowing them to earn a split after Ankeny won the opener, 7-5. "We let a popup fall in with two guys on … [Read more...] about Griess pitches Hawks to 7-5 victory before Ames rallies to win nightcap

Hawks sweep Centennial boys, extend winning streak against rival to 8 games

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The Ankeny baseball team entered Thursday's doubleheader against visiting Ankeny Centennial on a two-game losing skid after being swept by second-ranked Dowling Catholic on Wednesday. The Jaguars were riding a three-game winning streak. Both of those trends came to an end. The Hawks continued their recent dominance of Centennial by sweeping the … [Read more...] about Hawks sweep Centennial boys, extend winning streak against rival to 8 games

Hawks pound out 21 hits en route to pair of run-rule victories over Mason City

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The Ankeny baseball team pounded out 21 hits and swept a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader against visiting Mason City on Tuesday. The Hawks posted an 11-1 victory in six innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 15-5 triumph in five innings. They improved to 3-1 in the conference and 4-3 overall, while Mason City's records dropped to 1-3 and … [Read more...] about Hawks pound out 21 hits en route to pair of run-rule victories over Mason City

Patton homers, Dunwoody racks up 8 strikeouts in Hawks’ 4-2 loss at Johnston

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A three-run first inning lifted the top-ranked Johnston baseball team to a 4-2 victory over visiting Ankeny on Friday, allowing the Dragons to improve to 9-0 on the season. The non-conference game was a rematch of last year's Class 4A semifinal, which was won by Johnston, 5-0. The Hawks (2-3) were held to five hits by a trio of Johnston pitchers. … [Read more...] about Patton homers, Dunwoody racks up 8 strikeouts in Hawks’ 4-2 loss at Johnston

‘Our guys were gritty’: Hawks outlast Waukee NW in 9 innings, salvage split

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The Ankeny baseball team used a late rally to post a 13-8 victory in nine innings on Monday at sixth-ranked Waukee Northwest, allowing the Hawks to salvage a split of the CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader. Ankeny scored three runs in the seventh to tie the game at 6-6 and force extra innings. After both teams scored twice in the eighth, the Hawks erupted … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys were gritty’: Hawks outlast Waukee NW in 9 innings, salvage split